Testimonials

​”When you walk in the door at Bellcate it is usually a beehive of activity. There are classes going on, meals being made, artwork and schoolwork being hung in the hallways, maybe gardening going on out front. There are kids of various ages and all levels of ability/disability busy with their school tasks. It may… Read more »

Featured Posts

Bellcate’s Friendology class recently completed the “keeping friends” unit with a “My Purpose Project” assignment. The class learned about 3 important questions to ask when evaluating a friendship. 1. Would this friend be there for me to uplift and encourage me? 2. Can I be myself around this friend? 3. Is this friend going in the direction that lines… Read more »

Yoga has been a therapeutic staple at Bellcate School for a number of years. The positive outcomes have been clear right from the start. As a result Bellcate School has engaged in a process of progressive development of our yoga program for the past 3 years. Yoga practice at Bellcate school linked with direct instruction… Read more »

“Selfies” at Bellcate School mean something completely different than taking a photo of yourself and posting it on Instagram or snap chat. Bellcate Selfies are far more meaningful. Bellcate Selfies are daily commitments that support the development of healthy self esteem. This quarter Bellcate School offered 2 group classes focusing on self esteem development. Esteemology,… Read more »

After a great inaugural season where the Bellcate Bulldogs earned their first ever division 4 victory, the maroon and gold take back to the hardwood, starting practices on January 17th. “We are looking forward to getting back in the gym,” comments coach Jamie. “The kids have all been working on their games in the off… Read more »

Calendar

Please come and join us in our brand new space. This Dinner is for Parents/Guardians/Care Givers of current students. The event this year will be March 21st from 5:30-8:30pm. This is a student free night for the families of Bellcate students. We have dinner, listen to presenters, and get to know one another. Please arrange coverage for your kids and join us in March! The goal is for every student to have at least one member of their family present. Thanks! Please contact our Events Director, Jac Treanor with questions. [email protected] or 309-8762

This will be the start to our Unified Basketball season. Unified sports brings players with and without disabilities together in sport. Please come support our Bulldogs; cheer, wear maroon & gold, and bring your student to support their peers. Please contact Athletic Director, Jamie Moore @802-578-5370 with any questions.

Life at Bellcate

Bellcate School utilizes a three-stage therapeutic model that draws on a number of effective theories and strategies. This is not a fixed system, but rather a way of understanding change within a context. Bellcate School understands growth and change to be a slow and challenging process for anyone. Read more about our three stage therapeutic model

Exploration

The primary focus of the exploration stage is to build a strong therapeutic relationship as a foundation to facilitate and support growth and change. We use nonjudgmental acceptance and communicate empathy, respect, and genuine care so students can come to accept themselves and unblock their own natural potential.

Understanding

Students are often ready to move into the Understanding Stage when they have developed strong, trusting, and safe therapeutic relationships with staff. The goal of this stage is to support students in constructing new insight and understanding. Staff assist students in determining their own role in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Action

Thoughts and behaviors are learned according to learning principles and thus can be changed using the same learning principles. In the Action Stage, staff assist students in making decisions that benefit themselves. Staff refer to the stages of change model as a resource to further understand where the student is in the change process.